Main menu

Post navigation

University of East Anglia announces new Vice-Chancellor

Professor David Richardson has been announced as the next Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Prof Richardson, who is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Bacterial Biochemistry at UEA, will succeed current Vice-Chancellor Prof Edward Acton who will retire from the role in September 2014.

Richard Jewson, Chairman of UEA Council, said: “I am confident that David’s outstanding leadership qualities and research experience will make him an excellent successor to Edward Acton. David’s drive, energy and commitment to UEA shone through at interview and I and my fellow members of Council look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Since joining UEA in 1991 as a lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences, Prof Richardson has held the positions of Associate Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Science, before being made Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise & Engagement in 2011 and Deputy Vice-Chancellor in August 2012.

Prof Richardson is also a member of the Governing Council of the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and of the Norwich Research Park LLP. He studies the biochemistry of environmental biogeochemical cycles and greenhouse gas emissions.

Prof Richardson said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as UEA’s next Vice-Chancellor. UEA has played an important part in my working life and I am determined to take it from strength to strength. It has established its position in the top 20 of UK Universities and we will continue that upward trajectory. With our partners on the Norwich Research Park we have attracted significant government funding and look forward to bringing new business and employment opportunities to the region.”

Brian Summers, UEA Registrar and Secretary, said: “We are delighted by Council’s decision to appoint Prof Richardson as Vice-Chancellor. David’s impressive career at UEA, both in research and as part of the Executive Team, will stand him in good stead to navigate the university through the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing Higher Education sector.”

Prof Richardson is 49 and lives in Norwich with his wife, Dr Andrea Blanchflower, director of Learning and Teaching Services at UEA. They have two children. In his spare time he enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, collecting paintings (particularly from local artists) and spending time on the North Norfolk Coast. He is a season ticket holder at Norwich City Football Club.

Rosie, our Communications Officer said, “We congratulate David Richardson on his appointment, and look forward to working together to ensure that UEA remains Number 1 for Student Experience.”